No Snow Days For Livestock Producers

This blog was first posted on January 6 on

While it seems everything around here is cancelled, closed, or really, really slow…one thing that isn't closed is any producer that has livestock.

In my home state, Indiana, roads are closed, offices, schools, businesses. They prefer everyone to stay home and cozy in their beds. One group of people I can promise you are not staying cozy and warm are livestock producers.

I can't speak too much on pork or chicken producers. But, I can promise you that both of those species are really enjoying their climate controlled buildings and are staying perfectly warm and cozy. At times those industries can gain some bad rap because they are keeping their animals inside. On days like today they should be praised for having a facility to protect their animals from the cold harsh winds and way below freezing temperature.

As a cattle producer my hubby was up and feeding cattle this morning and will spend a good part of his day checking livestock and breaking open water fountains so cattle will have access to water.

On days like today I tend to get lots of questions on social media, or through text messages from friends, how our cattle are doing on a day like today.

One thing about cattle is that they have some really, really thick hides. So on days like today that thick hide protects them from the elements. Most of our cattle have access to some sort of windbreak, whether it's trees, a building, or a farmer made one of round bales, metal or wood.

When it's this cold outside the care taking of our animals is our top priority. And also when its way hot outside too. I would say my farmer would agree with me in saying that the heat is sometimes worse for cattle than cold. Once cattle get hot it gets really hard to cool them down.

On a day like today I am thankful for my warm and cozy home and I am thankful we have the resources to make our cattle as comfortable as possible in this weather.

Just remember on days where you get to cozy up by the fire with your hot chocolate farmers are out there feeding cattle, moving snow, and putting down bedding.

Stay warm!